What is Spoon Bender?

Spoon Bender is a multiplayer digital wargame in which players command and defend space assets amid orbital and electronic warfare. Two teams compete to maintain mission-critical space-based capabilities like communications, threat warning, and intelligence while responding to attacks in near real-time. The result is a fast-paced, decision-rich environment that serves as an introduction to the uncertainty and high stakes of real-world space operations during conflict.

This simulation includes effects spanning multiple domains of warfare in an experience that immerses players in realistic space operations challenges. Originally created for educational purposes, Spoon Bender is now being developed as a multi-purpose sandbox for concept assessment and technology development. As one of very few platforms demonstrating space operations and combat across multiple domains — and administrated by the independent and non-profit Aerospace — Spoon Bender is a powerful resource for any government, military, and commercial team aiming to address operational challenges in contested space. 

AI Proving Grounds

Aerospace is adapting Spoon Bender for AI agent play, transforming it into a digital testbed for autonomous decision-making in space operations. Participating companies and researchers will gain early access to the evolving API/SDK – allowing their agents to:

• Ingest live, multi-domain game data streams
• Autonomously execute electronic warfare tactics
• Be tested on reasoning, adaptability, and coordination under time constraints

This effort is part of Aerospace’s AI Proving Grounds, an initiative supporting the U.S. government’s push to apply AI to the hardest problems in space.

Why It Matters

Space systems underpin everything from communications to national defense. As the orbital domain grows more contested, AI will play a central role in decision-making and resilience. For AI developers, Spoon Bender offers a rare opportunity to:

• Test and showcase technologies in a defense-relevant simulation
• Collaborate with Aerospace – trusted advisor to DoD, NASA, and Intelligence Community
• Position your solutions for future government funding and acquisition pathways

Whether your expertise lies in reinforcement learning, agent-based modeling, or multi-sensor data fusion, Spoon Bender provides the proving ground to demonstrate real impact.

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